A friend and I were discussing this very issue today while having lunch in an outdoor cafe. We decided to count couples and see how many had a taller man and shorter woman, and how many had a shorter man and taller woman.
There were over 20 couples and all of them was of a taller man with a shorter woman.
This is all fine and good but not very scientific. What does science say about this important issue?
A study by Gillis and Avis in 1980 found that for every 100 couples, only 2 are likely to have a taller woman and shorter man. This suggests that in general, men tend to choose women who are shorter than they are and/or women choose men who are taller than they are.
Source: Short Girl Pictures
Do Men Really Like Shorter Women?
The Gillis and Avis study shows that couples very frequently consist of a taller man together with a shorter woman.
However, this does not necessarily mean that men like shorter girls. In fact, one can argue that the height preference largely comes from the woman’s side. Perhaps the man has no height preference, but simply dates shorter women because shorter women find them more attractive.
To get a more comprehensive view of this tall vs. short women issue, I also examined data from Yahoo Answers!. In particular, I did a search for “tall vs. short women” questions.
Source: http://thinkdrawart.com/short-girl-pictures
I collected a total of 54 responses over about 20 related questions. 29 of the responses were from men, and 25 from women. Of the men,
- 52% said that they like shorter women,
- 31% said that height is not an issue, and
- only 17% said that they like tall women.
These figures seem consistent with the results of my Attractive Women Survey which showed that only 19% of voters like tall women.
Of the women,
- 24% said that men like shorter women,
- 36% said that height is not an issue,
- 40% said that men like tall women.
What is especially interesting about the Yahoo! Answers data is that the woman’s view differs so greatly from the man’s view. Upon greater examination though, we found that of the 10 women who claimed that men prefer taller women, 7 were 5’8”-5’9”, and 1 was 5’5”. Therefore, the relatively small data-set and abnormal height distribution of respondents likely skewed the results.
Data from more rigorous scientific studies also support the hypothesis that men have a preference for shorter women.
“We found that shorter, slimmer females with long slender legs, a curvy figure and larger breasts are more attractive,” said lead researcher Dr William Brown of Brunel University.
~~[The Telegraph]
Nettle’s study on 10,000 people born in the UK in 1958 also showed that –
Shorter women are more likely to have long-term relationships with men, and more likely to have children …
~~[New Scientist]
Why Do Men Like Shorter Women?
Most female models are very tall. Based on this female ideal, it seems that all of us have a preference for the tall, thin, and willowy look.
Therefore, why does the survey and scientific results show that men like shorter women? It seems that here, at least, there is an inconsistency between the media feminine ideal and our real-world feminine ideal.
Certainly tall women have the following advantages –
- Clothes fall and drape more naturally on taller women.
- Tall women can handle extra weight much better than shorter women.
- Tall women get noticed more easily because they naturally stand out in a crowd.
All of these attributes make taller women especially suited for the modelling profession. We want models to stand out from the crowd and we want them to look especially good in a wide range of dress styles.
However, a woman’s greater height becomes more of a liability during mate selection because height is often associated with strength and power. These are traditionally traits that are highly regarded in men but less so in women. A tall woman may therefore have an emasculating effect on a shorter man.
In addition, while women frequently select mates based on strength, success, and power; men are more likely to select mates based on fertility. Nettle further pointed out that –
… girls with late sexual maturity will be taller than those who mature early, because they are growing for longer.
According to Nettle, taller women become fertile at a later date when compared to their shorter counterparts. This could also be another contributing factor to a man’s preference for shorter women.
Don’t Men Want Tall Sons?
What’s strange is that I would like to be taller and I would like my future son(s) to be taller. So it would really make more sense to choose a tall mate with genes that will produce a son who is tall. And yet I’m attracted to short women.
~~[Yahoo! Answers]
Another related factor to this tall vs. short women question is the height of our resulting children. If men do indeed select based on fertility, it seems that part of that fertility question would involve the strength and power of the resulting offspring. As was pointed out in the comment above, selection of a taller woman would increase the chances of producing a taller son.
However, based on all the data it seems that the attributes of our offspring are less significant than the social effects of having a taller female spouse, as well as possible maturity issues as related to height.
Are Tall Women Out of Luck?
Finally, it should also be mentioned that height selection and preference is a relative thing.
Most men like women that are shorter than they are and most women like men that are taller than they are. Men who are over 6 feet tall will have less problems dating tall women because they will still be the taller one in the relationship.
However, the distribution of heights for men and women follow the usual bell-curve shape. This suggests that tall women will have a smaller selection of men to choose from.
I’m a gal n i’mm really short with height 4’11” , for me tall gals are amazing, as i always say it to my fellas who most of ’em are much taller than me, but i myself always grateful with what i have, for me being a shorty or taller its not a big problem, because god always gives us thing for reason and i never dating guys that shorter than 5.11″.
anyways, short or tall doesn’t really matter as long as they bodies , faces in the right proportion.. everyone will look beautiful just the way they are.. 🙂
I just finished writing my comment about when I, a tall skinny guy at 6’1″ and 125 lbs., had a girlfriend who was short and fat (more fat than stocky) who stood only 4’11” (your height) while she weighed a massive 190 lbs. and how embarrassed I became after she out-lifted me in weightlifting by easily lifting a big heavy (fully-loaded) barbell over her head that I failed to lift even above my knees!!! I wrote that comment in response to what I read on this page about how height is often associated with strength and power and how I found out (after my girlfriend’s victory over me) that this is not always the case, even when there is a male vs. a female. It was hard for me to accept being such a tall male who was so easily out-lifted in weightlifting by such a short female but she (my girlfriend) saw that I was embarrassed after being so easily out-lifted by her so she walked over to me and while she and I stood in front of each other, I was looking way down at her while she was looking way up at me when she and I suddenly began kissing each other tenderly and passionately. It was early in our relationship so that was the first time she and I kissed each other. After that, my embarrassment disappeared. After that, I had no problem accepting the fact that she was way bigger and stronger than I was even though I stood way taller than she did and even with my being a male and her being a female. She proved that there are instances where a short female is way bigger and stronger than a tall male.
I stated (above) “…that I failed to lift even above my knees!!!” when I meant to state “…that I failed to lift even above my thighs!!!” However, either way, she still proved to be way bigger and stronger than I was.
im 5’2, I have all kinds of different men tall and shorter looking at me. Ive been on a dating site and lots of taller guys texting me. They like short women
I’m 5′ 3 1/2″…I never really paid much attention to height but I do end up end up with taller men 5’11″+ long term and shorter guys as friends. Weird that the height never really attracted me at all. there is a fine line between strong and oaf. I notice tall guys usually have fat sons…I don’t want fat genes, unpredictable mutated genes are enough to worry about. I just want an average to slightly above average male that will give me good strong looking boys. Strong jaw, good hair line, good face shape, nice frame. Simple, sort of…. Too bad we can’t test genes. Unfortunately good looking men don’t always give you good looking offspring.
I like tall women better hands down because they just look better plus long legs are powerful I love it when a women can easily wrap her legs around my whole body and i cant go anywere im average height and about 170and skinny but I like tall women anywhere from around 150 to 200 I pliers to know that she’s not fat but a lot to handle also I’m just different so its nothing personal to the shows women or average women but I hunt the titan women with long athletic powerful legs because long leg women represent power
I can tell you ladies right now that I would love to date a tall women. In a nightclub it’s always the tall women that I notice first and I’ve always found them to be somewhat more attractive than shorter women (sorry to the short girls out there). I think its because I don’t feel like I am dating a child, I can kiss them easily(than a shorter women).
It would not even matter if she was taller than me. That being said if I thought there was a connection between us, her height would not matter at all
It is so sad that pretty much every comment is a egotistical tall girl trying to validate herself by attacking shorter girls, or even the author. Get over yourself, however beautiful you think you are on the outside and just realise that people come in different shapes and sizes. Height is a small issue compared to personality and how ‘pretty’ a girl seems, and most real men and women will also tell you how shallow and petty most of these comments are.
Also, I’m not a short girl on the attack, I’m quite tall at 5’8”.
Well I’m screwed! lol. I’m a 6′ female. I love being tall. yes, I enjoyed standing out in the crowd and it made me have to have more confidence. As far as clothing hanging on us better. Have you tried shopping as a tall woman. Not much is offered to us- we can’t buy cute clothes off the rack. That point is irrelevant and not true. Tall models get specially fitted so they may look good on the runway, but that’s not reality. very few choices in clothing.
But to my benefit, tall women have easier labor. I am married now with two kids and doctors will tell you tall women were made for child birth.
Being tall myself, I love tall women. To me if height is the only issue in the relationship, you don’t have any problems. What difference does height really matter?
I’m about 5″3′, which I guess is average or whatever. Any way, I think that tall slender women are gorgeous! I think in my opinion, most shorter women are not as proportioned. I don’t find short stubby legs attractive. Now however, I have seen women a wee bit taller then me or so more on the average side that have high waist lines and longer slim legs which, gives them the illusion that they are taller.
Crap. I accidentally hit “post” before I was finished.
I found your article quite informative, and definitely an interesting read.
I tend to prefer women who are tall, curvy, and tomboyish. Personality is important as well, and I love women who are affectionate and make me feel safe in their warm embrace. If that makes me seem effeminate, so be it. I like somewhat masculine women, so that makes sense.
amshort girl so i have no problem no man is shorter than me
most of the women who wrote a comment on this article tried to show the advantages of being tall and the disadvantage of being short or vice versa, it’s really sad that till this very day and age people feel confident out of bashing others who are different than them. I’m an Average height 5’5 i say every women is feminine in her own way tall, short..etc just love yourself without putting other women down it’s pathetic seriously.
p.s great article, lovely pics
A really funny topic hhhh, short vs tall !!, I am 5’3″ (160 cm) and beleive me I ve never been called short why?? The answer is simple I have a very beautiful face,look like Indian actresses everyone compares me to aishwarya rai that feels great because I don’t if I should feel embarrassed because of my height , I don’t en envy
I’m a tall girl,5ft8 precisely and I have enjoyed the admirationand attention that comes with my height from guys and ladies,especially when I’m on heels. I choose who I date,could be taller or a bit shorter.its all about the persons personality. Tall girls,people love and admire you,the short ladies wish they were like you while guys wish they could have a girl like you. My advice,stop feeling awkward and live your life,dress the way that suits you. We rock.
That’s where you are wrong! I am 5ft tall and proud that I am, because we short women actually look like real women. We have feminine features, smaller hands and feet, and as you can see from the poll survey, men prefer us more because of our more feminine features. We rock, you all suck.
im 5’7 and mostly it doesnt bother me. I get chased by men all the time and have over the years found it extremely easy to meet and date men. some rare ones say im too tall but their opinions get drowned out in the noise of all those who dont feel that way. maybe its not just my height, i have extremely curvy hips and long legs as well as an exotic eastern european face. so for me height is a minimal problem in life.
anything under 5’8” is considered a little girl 5’8” or taller is a woman same with blondes they either look too young or too old and when they turn middle age 30’s they look really rough that’s why guys prefer dark haired women or red heads just the truth call me a liar but why do guys date blonde’s and marry dark haired women
5’8″ or taller is considered a man, everything shorter is considered a natural feminine woman.
I’m 5 feet 5 1/2″ and when I was younger, I always wanted to be shorter! I always thought the short girls were cuter – whereas I am, alas, just average. Oh well…I think you have to just accept yourself, no matter what. My sister is very tall for a woman – 5′ 9″ and she’s been married a long time and has 2 kids. Confidence, personality, choosing happiness – these things contribute more to a good relationship than a person’s height, I think! But it is an interesting article!
I am 5.11 and athletic. I should say I have been practically spoilt by increasing men`s attention throughout my life. I never liked very tall or very big men though….so my husband is 5.10, an inch shorter than me and we have two beautiful children:)))
This is so funny. Most of the guys I’ve met quite frankly don’t care. Its usually women who tend to place importance on things like this.
I’m 5’10” tall woman, and I always loved being tall and those who say we’re less feminine it’s like only imagining tall women with broad shoulders &no curves eh wrong impression :). I don’t mean to brag, but I always got loads of attention and compliments about the way I look and my body; because I’ve got an hourglass figure, small hands and feet, big attributes and a narrow waist since I’m tall and I don’t pack much fat easily like a shorter version of me would. My hubby is the same height as me, and he just likes how long and how propotionate a body of a tall woman like myself is. It makes me admire how manly and confident he is, because he doesn’t need to be taller to feel manlier 😉 So tall women out there, don’t listen to others, we’re as beautiful or even more than shorter versions of ourselves just imagine you had to choose between a short or a tall you lol that’s why models are tall, I don’t like skinny figures, but a curvaceous tall model is just perfection 😀 and short men, don’t think that tall women will eliminate you, if you’re cute with a good personality and so confident, any woman will fall for you whether tall or short (; .